In the world of airline alliances often passengers do not know with which airline they will fly. I used to fly every week with KLM and could not praise them enough. When I flew to Washington it was with Northwest airlines. The air staff were so rude they almost incited passengers on the plane into air rage. On my return trip a stewardess told my colleage to "Sit down and shut up fat boy". There is no excuse for this and KLM did not answer my complaint. Needless to say I have taken my business elsewhere.